Post by tmanson on Jul 11, 2006 20:34:50 GMT -8
Hi fellow Fraser Valley Birders:
Just back from a 9 day excursion through Southern Alberta, Sask, and Northern Montana. I was basically target birding, and was lucky to see 14 out of 15 targeted birds.
In order of being seen; ( more or less ), they were:
SPRAGUE'S PIPIT: Many seen along the backroads of the extreme south of Alberta.
BROWN THRASHER: In Writng-on-Stone Provincial Park and a few other locations.
CHESTNUT COLLARED, and Mc'COWAN'S LONGSPURS: Many of the former, only one of the latter; also in the extreme southern part of Alberta-Wild Horse, Onefour area, close to the Montana border
PIPING PLOVER: Chaplin Lake, Saskatchewan; a very important refuge for this declining bird.
GREAT CRESTED FLYCATCHER, EASTERN TOWHEE: Qu'appelle Valley north of Regina.
ORCHARD ORIOLE: Estevan area.
FIELD SPARROW, YELLOW THROATED VIREO, EASTERN BLUEBIRD, EASTERN WOOD PEEWEE, BLACK BILLED CUCKOO: Souris River valley, south and east of Estevan.
MOUNTAIN PLOVER: 3 in the Charles Russell Wildlife Refuge, near Malta, Montana.
DIP BIRD-LEAST TERN- looked in the Fort Peck area of Montana, where they are reported in the Falcon Guide, but could only find Common Tern.
Other birds of note: Ferruginous Hawk, Prairie Falcon, Swainson's Hawk, Baird's Sparrow, Lark Sparrow, Clay-coloured Sparrow, Horned Lark, ( hundreds, and hundreds ), White Pelican, American Redstart, Baltimore Oriole, Common Nighthawk.
Great trip-love those early mornings on the Prairies, watching the sun rise; the air is so clean and sweet. Just like the Fraser Valley on a hot sunny day-not!! Okay, we've got the mountains, and we don't get too many 40 below days, which I remember a few of when I lived in North Battleford. Looking forward to Dave's report of his Maritime trip, as well our great local birding. Thor
Thor Manson
Hope B.C.
Just back from a 9 day excursion through Southern Alberta, Sask, and Northern Montana. I was basically target birding, and was lucky to see 14 out of 15 targeted birds.
In order of being seen; ( more or less ), they were:
SPRAGUE'S PIPIT: Many seen along the backroads of the extreme south of Alberta.
BROWN THRASHER: In Writng-on-Stone Provincial Park and a few other locations.
CHESTNUT COLLARED, and Mc'COWAN'S LONGSPURS: Many of the former, only one of the latter; also in the extreme southern part of Alberta-Wild Horse, Onefour area, close to the Montana border
PIPING PLOVER: Chaplin Lake, Saskatchewan; a very important refuge for this declining bird.
GREAT CRESTED FLYCATCHER, EASTERN TOWHEE: Qu'appelle Valley north of Regina.
ORCHARD ORIOLE: Estevan area.
FIELD SPARROW, YELLOW THROATED VIREO, EASTERN BLUEBIRD, EASTERN WOOD PEEWEE, BLACK BILLED CUCKOO: Souris River valley, south and east of Estevan.
MOUNTAIN PLOVER: 3 in the Charles Russell Wildlife Refuge, near Malta, Montana.
DIP BIRD-LEAST TERN- looked in the Fort Peck area of Montana, where they are reported in the Falcon Guide, but could only find Common Tern.
Other birds of note: Ferruginous Hawk, Prairie Falcon, Swainson's Hawk, Baird's Sparrow, Lark Sparrow, Clay-coloured Sparrow, Horned Lark, ( hundreds, and hundreds ), White Pelican, American Redstart, Baltimore Oriole, Common Nighthawk.
Great trip-love those early mornings on the Prairies, watching the sun rise; the air is so clean and sweet. Just like the Fraser Valley on a hot sunny day-not!! Okay, we've got the mountains, and we don't get too many 40 below days, which I remember a few of when I lived in North Battleford. Looking forward to Dave's report of his Maritime trip, as well our great local birding. Thor
Thor Manson
Hope B.C.